Both were very young, neither being more than twenty-one or twenty-two years of age. ‘That way!--over the Bridge!’ said the woman sitting, in a husky voice; then she added, as the other seemed about to pass on, ‘Stop though! what are you going to stand?’ The other turned quickly, and again looked down with her large eager eyes. ‘What do you want?--Money?’ The voice was deep and clear, though it trembled a little. ‘Yes, I’m as thirsty as a fish. Lend me a shilling, and I’ll pay you back some night when I’m in luck. Only a shilling! that won’t break you!’ ‘If I give you the money, what will you do with it?’ ‘Drink it,’ was the curt reply. Something in the answer had a curious effect on the hearer. She stooped softly down and looked earnestly in the other woman’s face. ‘You’ll know me again when you see me?’ ‘Do you mind telling me your name?’ ‘Ellen,--never mind what else. Nell for snort. ‘Where do you live?’ ‘Anywhere.’ ‘How old are you?’ ‘Lord knows. Twenty or thereabouts. Are you going to keep on questioning all the blessed night? I want something to drink.’ The girl who stood bent over the sitting girl and placed something in her hand. She uttered a suppressed cry. ‘Gold! Why, you’ve given me a sovereign! What for?’ ‘I have only another, or I would give you more. I am sorry for you. Good night!’ ‘Stop! don’t go. Let me have another look at you.’ ‘Well?’ ‘What a fool I was! Why you’re _a lady!_’ It was the other’s turn to laugh now--a low, bitter laugh. ‘And you’ve got on a real Injy shawl--let me feel it! And there’s a pair of gold bracelets on your wrists! Well, I’m----!!’ This with a prolonged half whistle, expressive of utter surprise. Then she continued-- ‘I don’t know who you are, or where you’re a-going, but the streets ain’t safe for the likes of _you_. You’d best go home, my lady!’ ‘I have no home.’ ‘What!’ ‘What home I had I have left, never to go back. I am leaving London.’ ‘Where are you going?’ ‘Anywhere.’ After a moment’s pause she pointed across the river and over the house-tops, and added, ‘Out there.’ ‘Friends there, I suppose?’ ‘No friends.’ ‘And not much coin. Ah, well, you’ve them swell bracelets; and the shawl, too, is worth money.’ It was very strange--innocent as the remark seemed, it appeared to make the tall figure of the listener tremble with agitation, perhaps with anger. With a quick impetuous movement she drew off her bracelets and threw them into the girl’s lap. ‘Take them--_I_ don’t want them! And the shawl too--take it, and give me yours.’ ‘No, you’re joking!’ ‘Quick!’ In a moment the change was effected; and the women now stood erect and face to face. The commoner and more outcast creature seemed utterly stupefied by what had taken place. Suddenly the other seized both her hands, and said quickly-- ‘The river--is it there?’ A light seemed suddenly to flash in upon the outcast’s bewildered brain. ‘You’re not a-going to drown yourself? No!’ ‘I don’t know--perhaps!’